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Does paycheck frequency matter? Evidence from micro data

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  • Baugh, Brian
  • Correia, Filipe

Abstract

Using a unique dataset from an account aggregator, we analyze cross-sectional differences and within-household time-series variation in paycheck frequency. We find that higher paycheck frequency results in less credit card borrowing, less consumption, but more instances of financial distress — even when the change in paycheck frequency is employer-initiated. We find that pay frequency strongly determines within-month time patterns of financial distress. Our theoretical model reconciles these empirical results — higher paycheck frequency increases consumers’ willingness to allocate to illiquid savings vehicles, leading to a reduction in both consumption and within-paycycle borrowing.

Suggested Citation

  • Baugh, Brian & Correia, Filipe, 2022. "Does paycheck frequency matter? Evidence from micro data," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(3), pages 1026-1042.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:143:y:2022:i:3:p:1026-1042
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.12.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brian Baugh & Itzhak Ben‐David & Hoonsuk Park, 2018. "Can Taxes Shape an Industry? Evidence from the Implementation of the “Amazon Tax”," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 73(4), pages 1819-1855, August.
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    3. Sumit Agarwal & Chunlin Liu & Nicholas S. Souleles, 2007. "The Reaction of Consumer Spending and Debt to Tax Rebates-Evidence from Consumer Credit Data," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 115(6), pages 986-1019, December.
    4. Joshua D. Angrist & Jörn-Steffen Pischke, 2009. "Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist's Companion," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 8769.
    5. Nicholas S. Souleles & Jonathan A. Parker & David S. Johnson, 2006. "Household Expenditure and the Income Tax Rebates of 2001," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 96(5), pages 1589-1610, December.
    6. Kuchler, Theresa & Pagel, Michaela, 2021. "Sticking to your plan: The role of present bias for credit card paydown," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 139(2), pages 359-388.
    7. Gelman, Michael & Kariv, Shachar & Shapiro, Matthew D. & Silverman, Dan & Tadelis, Steven, 2020. "How individuals respond to a liquidity shock: Evidence from the 2013 government shutdown," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    8. Deniz Aydin, 2022. "Consumption Response to Credit Expansions: Evidence from Experimental Assignment of 45,307 Credit Lines," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 112(1), pages 1-40, January.
    9. Scott Ross Baker & Contantine Yannelis, 2017. "Income Changes and Consumption: Evidence from the 2013 Federal Government Shutdown," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 23, pages 99-124, January.
    10. Hall, Robert E, 1978. "Stochastic Implications of the Life Cycle-Permanent Income Hypothesis: Theory and Evidence," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 86(6), pages 971-987, December.
    11. Scott R. Baker, 2018. "Debt and the Response to Household Income Shocks: Validation and Application of Linked Financial Account Data," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 126(4), pages 1504-1557.
    12. Inés Berniell, 2018. "Pay Cycles: Individual and Aggregate Effects of Paycheck Frequency," CEDLAS, Working Papers 0221, CEDLAS, Universidad Nacional de La Plata.
    13. Parsons, Christopher A. & Van Wesep, Edward D., 2013. "The timing of pay," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(2), pages 373-397.
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    Cited by:

    1. Laamanen, Jani-Petri & Matikka, Tuomas & Paukkeri, Tuuli, 2022. "Once or Twice a Month? The Impact of Payment Frequency on Spending Behavior," Working Papers 147, VATT Institute for Economic Research.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Paycheck frequency; Labor income; Household debt; Financial distress;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D15 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Intertemporal Household Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages

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